BEST CHEFMichael Higgins, Maldaner’s 222 S. Sixth St., 217-522-4313Michael Higgins came out of the San Francisco Bay area
and straight into Springfieldians’ hearts in 1982, the year he became
one of Maldaner’s head chefs. He took over ownership of the
restaurant in 1995, and since then, he’s achieved fantastic
satisfaction of our appetites with his signature meals and seasonal organic
dishes. We thought that a chef would surely have his own specialty, but not
Higgins: “Someone asked me what my favorite food was, and I said,
‘Whatever is in front of me.’ I just like to cook.” He
says although the cuisine’s quality is definitely important, a
chef’s recipe for success must include leadership skills.
“Cheffing is another word for ‘chief,’ ” Higgins
says. “A lot of cooks could never be good chefs, and a lot of chefs
aren’t very good cooks. It’s all about leadership.” Runner-up: Augie Mrozowski, Augie’s Front
Burner BEST WAITER OR WAITRESSDiane Balestri, Trout Lily CafО In baseball parlance, Diane Balestri meets the
textbook definition of a utility player. According to cafО owner Kate
Hawkes, the versatile Balestri is not only Hawkes’ right-hand woman
as assistant manager but also sweet and personable, and she calls everyone
“hon.” Should, to a single customer’s dismay, the shop
run out of something, Balestri, who’s also in charge of making the
baked goods, will make an extra one the next day just for that person,
Hawkes says. “She’s just an all-around good person,”
Hawkes says. “In the three years she’s worked here, I’ve
never known her to be rude to a customer. I don’t think she’s
been rude to anyone in her life.”Runner-up: Dawn Ward, Charlie Parker’s BEST HOT DOGSWienerdog 113 1/2 N. Sixth St., 217-744-3644The last time we stopped in for lunch, we noticed
three years’ worth of IT readers’ poll awards displayed proudly, side by side,
on the wall above Wienerdog’s counter. With the addition of
2007’s prize, however, they’ll have to either disrupt the
plaques’ continuity or move a framed cartoon drawn by SJ-R editorial cartoonist
Chris Britt. Decisions, decisions. You’ll empathize with the plight
of owners Mark Anderson and Rob Deaton when trying to choose one of
Wienerdog’s savory all-beef menu items. If you’re stumped, go
with the signature Chicago Dog, which is covered with enough veggies
— neon-green relish, chopped onions, sport peppers, a tomato wedge,
and a pickle spear — to qualify as a healthy snack, in our opinion.
For an extra two bucks you get a bag of chips and bottle of pop, which, for
those not well versed in Chicago-speak, is another way of saying
“soda.” Runner-up: Cozy Dog BEST OUTDOOR DININGMaldaner’s 222 S. Sixth St., 217-522-4313The competition was stiff in this category, with
several downtown restaurants providing tables and chairs for those who
would warm their shoulders or feel the breeze, but Maldaner’s,
located two blocks south of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and
Museum, came away with the most votes, perhaps because the quality of
dining is just as superior on the outside as it is on the inside. Where
else can you snack on a smoked-trout plate or partake of Maldaner’s
special beef Wellington while relaxing outdoors, people-watching or
chatting with friends? Let your hair down and step outside Maldaner’s
for your next meal. You won’t regret it. Runner-up: Augie’s Front Burner BEST BARTENDERJon Rice, Curve Inn 3219 S. Sixth St., 217-529-5806Twenty-six-year-old Jon Rice started slinging beers
and mixing Jack-and-Cokes two years ago at the Curve Inn for his sister,
bar owner Amy Merchant. He’d been a regular patron for three years
before that, so, he says, getting to know the clientele was a piece of
cake. He also calls it the best part of his job: “People who go in
there are kind of crazy, so I get to see some nutty stuff. It breaks up the
monotony of my day job when I get to go in there to have some fun.”
For those who want to see Rice in action, he’s behind the bar on
Wednesday and Friday nights. Ask him to make you a Cosmopolitan or a
Manhattan — they’re his favorites. Runner-up: Mike Parkes, Brewhaus BEST SOUL FOODBoyd’s New Generation 1831 E. South Grand Ave., 217-544-9866Nothing
else can make you feel as if you’re sitting in your grandma’s
kitchen again like a big plate of fried chicken, greens, mac-and-cheese,
and cornbread at Boyd’s. Famous for its soulful Southern cooking, the
restaurant resurfaced in 2006 under new owners, Tammy Calloway — the
Boyds’ niece — and her husband, Lewis, of East St. Louis.
They’re carrying on the family tradition of serving up such
Cajun-inspired dishes as jambalaya, red beans and rice, and gumbo in
addition to the staple ribs, catfish, and meatloaf. Stop in at lunchtime to
eat in or carry out or come by on Friday, when Boyd’s stays open for
dinner. Don’t forget to save room for delicious old-fashioned
desserts such as sweet-potato pie, peach cobbler, and banana pudding. Runner-up: Clay’s Popeye’s BEST SPORTS BARSammy’s Sports Bar & Grill 217 S. Fifth St., 217-789-9803It doesn’t matter whether you’re rooting
for the Cards, the Cubs, the Fighting Illini or the Tigers of Mizzou,
Sammy’s Sports Bar & Grill is the place to be. The only sports
bar in the heart of downtown, Sammy’s features 22 televisions,
including a 70-square-foot projector screen, three 61-inch big screens, and
14 flat screens. Football fans can watch the big games on the NFL Sunday
Ticket, ESPN Gameplan, and Big Ten Network. Sammy’s also is carrying
SalukiVision so that Southern Illinois sports fans can get a piece of the
action, too. Check out www.sammyssportsbar.com for game schedules.Runner-up: Clubhouse Sports Bar & Grill BEST STEAKAlexander’s Steakhouse 620 Bruns Lane, 217-793-0440If you want something done right, usually you have to
do it yourself, particularly when it comes to your food. The people at
Alexander’s, owned by Peoria-based Mercedes Restaurants Inc., seem to
understand this, offering two huge grills on which patrons cook their own
hand-selected cuts of beef. If you don’t mind strangers handling your
meat, for an extra $2.59 one of their chefs will cook it for you.
Alexander’s invites customers to compare the size of their steaks,
which range in price from $17.99 for a small filet to $32.99 for a 20-ounce
New York strip, with those at other steak joints around town. Perhaps the
best bargain is the $19.95 “Full Meal Deal,” which includes a
14-ounce steak, salad, and domestic draft beer. Come and get it! Runner-up: Longhorn Steakhouse BEST MARGARITAS BEST MEXICANXochimilco 3210 Northfield Dr., 217-544-9206; 2941 W. Iles Ave.,
217-546-3116; 6901 Preston Dr., 217-483-1006After a few visits diners will get the hang of
pronouncing Xochimilco (so-she-MIL-co), and by that time they’ll be
hooked. The hotspot garners kudos from Illinois
Times readers in two categories: Best
Margaritas and Best Mexican. Whether the kitchen is serving up carne asada or a simple
burrito, the cuisine is tasty and authentic. The friendly and efficient
waitstaff — known for balancing multiple hot plates on one arm
— adds a quickstep to the lively atmosphere. The vibrant mood may
have something to do with the mouthwatering margaritas Xochimilco doles
out, frozen or on the rocks, in multiple flavors. Count on the bartenders
to mix up the perfect concoction. Runner-up, margaritas: CafО Brio Runner-up, Mexican: Los Agaves BEST CHINESEHunan Chinese Restaurant1101 W. Wabash Ave., 217-793-0999When a tornado barreled down Wabash Avenue in March
2006 and wrecked Hunan Restaurant, passersby had questions about when
— or if — the 2005 readers’ choice for Best Chinese would
regroup and serve up those delicious sauces for which it’s known. But
Hunan hoisted a new sign and, in July, opened the doors for business. The
remodeled Hunan Restaurant is equipped with the same great Chinese staples
of the old space, but now with a sushi bar, liquor license, and updateddОcor to boot. Welcome
back, Hunan — we missed you!Runner-up: China Star BEST BUFFETInternational Buffet 520 N. Dirksen Parkway, 217-788-8833Springfield has more than its fair share of buffets,
but our readers’ vote clearly shows that International Buffet is the
place where your $6.19 lunch tab goes the furthest. There’s certainly
something for everybody here — eight long bars, plus separate
stations for sushi, steak, and hot wok. On a recent visit one of the two
salad bars had three different kinds of cucumber salad, all of which were
yummy. We couldn’t even count the various incarnations of chicken,
but the five we tried were delicious. With so many buffets, the competition
is pretty fierce, but International has a secret weapon: In addition to the
soft-serve ice cream every buffet has, IB has a freezer stocked with
serve-yourself real ice cream in such exotic flavors as peppermint,
cookies-and-cream, and orange sherbet. Next time we’ll just start
there and skip the three cuke salads.Runner-up:
Ryan’s BEST DESSERTS BEST BAKERYIncredibly Delicious925 S. Seventh St., 217-528-8548Who can resist Incredibly Delicious’ flaky
croissants and tangy mixed-berry tart? Not many — the French-style
bakery captured our readers’ hearts (and stomachs) again this year,
cinching two titles: Best Bakery and Best Desserts. Owner Patrick Groth
pulls magic from his ovens, whether he’s removing his fresh-baked
Kalamata olive or pepper-Parmesan bread or the wickedly sweet flourless
chocolate cake. Leave your diet at the door when you enter the historic
Weber House, where Incredibly Delicious occupies the first floor. Groth
developed his chops at the French Culinary Institute before returning to
his hometown and setting up shop. The boulangerie serves up a light lunch — featuring sandwiches,
soups, salads, and quiches — daily, but we all know why capital-city
residents flock to the downtown shop. Whether it’s citrus cheesecake,
vibrant marzipan, or moist coffeecake, a sweet indulgence at Incredibly
Delicious is worth an extra mile on the treadmill. Runner-up, desserts: Bakers Square Runner-up, bakery: Panera BEST LATE- NIGHT DININGSteak ’n Shake 2465 N. Dirksen Parkway, 217-492-5926; 3186 S. Dirksen
Parkway, 217-529-5823; 1580 Wabash Ave., 217-787-0392; 4211
Conestoga Dr., 217-698-9439There’s nothing we can tell you here that you
probably don’t already know about the readers’ choice for
late-night dining. Steak ’n Shake is really the only choice for postmidnight
munchies. The diner-style restaurant’s franchise had its beginnings a
stone’s throw away in Normal and operates four locations in the
capital city. Fulfilling sweet-tooth cravings and dishing up
extra-early-morning fare for night owls, the institution is open 24/7. A
wide range of comfort foods, cooked right under your nose, making the
perfect nightcap for a long evening of, er, nightcaps. Now that’s
worth losing sleep over.Runner-up: Denny’s BEST ICE- CREAM PLACE Cold Stone Creamery 124 S. Sixth St., 217-523-6666Illinois Times readers
proclaimed that they love Cold Stone Creamery, and it shows. The line at
the new ice-cream shop downtown snakes out the door. The shop makes ice
cream fresh everyday, scoops it onto the titular cold stone, and mixes the
cool indulgence with dozens of tasty treats, among them pie crust, fruit,
Oreos, candy, and roasted almonds. If you’re not feeling creative,
let the Cold Stone crew serve you one of the chain’s signature
mash-ups, which bear such silly monikers as “All Lovin’ No
Oven” (Cake Batter ice cream, cookie dough, fudge, and whipped
cream). Runner-up: Baskin-Robbins BEST PLACE TO GET BREAKFAST ON SUNDAYD & J CafО915 W. Laurel, 217-753-1708If Springfield looks like a ghost town on Sunday
mornings, it’s probably because everyone’s at the D & J
CafО. It’s highly unusual to slide right into a table or even a
parking spot, but the cafО’s veteran diners say that the
cuisine is well worth the wait. Hungry customers can choose breakfast
staples ranging from biscuits and gravy to French toast to omelettes. For
the starving, D & J suggests the breakfast horseshoe, with a choice of
ham, sausage or bacon and topped with cheese or homemade sausage gravy. And
did we mention the service? Despite the crowd, coffee cups never run dry,
and piping-hot plates arrive in no time. Even the price is great: three
people can eat for around $15. Runner-up: Charlie Parker’s BEST FRIED FAIR FOODBob Vose’s Korn DogsDespite the record temperatures, voters still
couldn’t get enough of Bob Vose’s Korn Dogs at this
year’s Illinois State Fair. Vose, a 78-year-old Springfieldian and
former alderman, has sold the fair staple for 39 years and says his secret
is consistency: “We stick with our regular mix, because it’s a
good mix, and use a good wiener.” The process hasn’t changed,
either. Wieners are dipped in the mix, fried in vegetable oil, and placed
upright in a basket for two-and-a-half minutes to allow them to acquire a
crispy coating. Another important part of the business is family: At one
time Vose’s six children helped cook and sell the corn dogs, and now
his children’s children can be found staffing the stand. Runner-up: Culler’s French Fries BEST ITALIANSaputo’s 801 E. Monroe Ave., 217-544-2523A few years ago, a former restaurant writer for this
paper compared our best Italian restaurant to a favorite old pair of boots
or a holiday movie, something comforting and familiar. That describes
family-owned Saputo’s, a downtown fixture for about six decades, to a
tee. The place serves up lots of southern-Italian food, heavy on the red
sauces — this is the place for traditional dishes, including
mostaccioli, ravioli, lasagna, spaghetti, and rigatoni — as well as
lighter fare. Popular with politicians and government workers,
Saputo’s also pulls in plenty of tourists and out-of-towners, lured,
we’re sure, by the too-cool-for-school vintage neon sign. Don’t
forget Saputo’s has a takeout menu, too, and they’re quite
accommodating — one night we swung by for a baked potato. Runner-up: Olive Garden BEST THAI OR VIETNAMESE RESTAURANTLittle Saigon 1531 W. Wabash Ave., 217-726-9633Last year, when Little Saigon won our readers’ votes
for Best New Restaurant, we wrote that this restaurant had become a
Springfield institution so fast that we couldn’t remember where we
went for lunch before. This year, Little Saigon proves its staying power by
knocking out the perennial favorite, Magic Kitchen, which had been winning
our Best Asian Restaurant category since the Roosevelt administration
— Teddy, not Franklin. This year’s race was close: With 365
votes cast in this category, Saigon beat Magic by fewer than 10. (Last
year, Magic had three times as many votes as Little Saigon). Maybe
that’s why the last time we ate Asian, our fortune cookie said,
“Good luck means having many wonderful choices in life.”Runner-up: Magic Kitchen

BEST SUBSHead West 1124 W. Jefferson St., 217-793-9101; 530 E. Capitol
Ave., 217-789-9101; 3311 Robbins Rd., 217-726-9202Head West Subs added a whole new region of admirers
for their signature sweet bread this year when they opened new digs on the
west side of town. Owners Matt and Grace Bluhm must be doing something
right, because they’re bringing home the gold for the fourth time.
Even if you don’t appreciate the dОcor and music choices
— rock-concert posters and music by jam bands such as Phish pulsing
through the speakers — the sub sandwiches can’t be beat. The
menu doesn’t boast anything too fancy, just mile-high meats and
cheeses on the best sub bread in town; choices include turkey and
Provolone, roast beef and Cheddar, and tuna salad and Provolone, as well as
a few specialty sammies. Top off your meal with a Ben and Jerry’s
pint or a Jones soda. Head West will bring it to your door for nothing.Runner-up: Monty’s BEST VEGETARIAN CUISINEHoly Land Diner 107 W. Cook St., 217-544-5786The wings at Holy Land Diner
taste awesome, as do the meatballs and the gyros, but let’s face it:
We’re in Springfield, where a restaurant that serves chicken, beef,
and lamb can still win our vegetarian prize. Neither Holy Land nor
runner-up Gateway to India is vegetarian (Gateway serves chicken and lamb
on a regular basis), but both offer such a reliable and wonderful selection
of vegetarian dishes that vegetarians claim these two eateries as their
own. At Holy Land, there’s always lentil soup, several salads, a
variety of olives and feta cheese, and often falafel, tabbouleh, and
hummus. The restaurant was forced to close for a few months this year,
thanks to a landlord that wanted a higher-dollar tenant, but loyal
customers followed owners Afaf and Jamal Rashmawy to their new, brighter
location in Vinegar Hill Mall.Runner-up:
Gateway to India BEST CHILLIJoe Rogers’ Original Recipe Chili Parlor/ The Den 820 S. Ninth St., 217-522-3722During lunch hour at Joe Rogers’ Original Recipe
Chili Parlor, it’s hard enough to snatch a parking space, let alone a
spot at a table or the bar. Such orders as “Medium with a touch of
hot,” “The J.R. Special,” and “A chili cheese dog
with relish and mustard” fly across the counter as red-apron-clad
waitresses dish out the secret-recipe chilliwith the ease of veterans. Marianne Rogers, who has run the
family business since her father’s death, in 1973, attributes the
restaurant’s success to its keeping with tradition.
“There’s nothing new — I haven’t added
anything,” Rogers says. “That’s the charm of the
business. We’ve kept the menu the same, and we’ve kept the
products the same.” Apparently her tactic has worked: Rogers says
that she has customers who have eaten at the chilli parlor since it first
opened, in 1945. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,”
she says with a laugh. Runner-up: Steak ’n Shake BEST BURGERSSteak ’n Shake 2465 N. Dirksen Parkway, 217-492-5925; 3186 S. Dirksen
Parkway, 217-529-5823; 1580 Wabash Ave., 217-787-0392; 4211 Conestoga Dr.,
217-698-9439Steak ’n Shake describes its Steakburger as the
“finest burger served anywhere in the world” — and most
Springfieldians agree, again giving the restaurant chain top billing in
this category. The trademarked burger hasn’t changed in the past
year, but the restaurant chain, founded in Normal in 1934 and a presence in
the capital city for nearly 70 years, continues to grow, numbering nearly
500 locations in 21 states, mostly in the Midwest and the South. Open 24
hours a day, seven days a week, Steak ’n Shake still focuses on
cooked-to-order food, served to guests on real china and accompanied by
real glasses and silverware. The newest Springfield store, on Wabash
Avenue, opened in December, replacing a nearby Steak ’n Shake that
was damaged by one of the March 2006 tornadoes. Runner-up: Krekel’s Custard BEST CATFISH OR WALLEYE SANDWICHESCarter’s Fish Market 1900 E. South Grand Ave., 217-525-2571The first clue that Carter’s Fish Market has
great food is the line. People cluster in front of the fish shack —
where the shade is scant, there’s nowhere to sit, and cars are
whizzing past — just to wait their turns to order fish sandwiches
from employees who, though never rude, will never be accused of being
overly friendly. But that’s OK. Carter’s isn’t the kind
of place you go for convenience, conversation, or charm; you go to
Carter’s for the fish. In fact, when they ask what type of bread we
want (white, wheat, or rye), we usually say “none.” We like our
fish “sandwiches” naked — just fish, maybe a little
ketchup. Bread would just get in the way. Carter’s fish is that
good. It’s lightly breaded and artfully fried, and it has just the
perfect amount of fishy tastiness. Best of all, a single catfish or walleye
plate can — in most households — feed two people and often
three, making Carter’s a delicious bargain.Runner-up: Walleye Stop BEST COFFEEHOUSEStarbucks 3412 Freedom Dr., 217-787-0764; 2003 W. Monroe St.,
217-793-2193; 700 E. Adams St. (inside the Hilton Springfield),
217-789-7098; 3200 E. Clear Lake Ave., 217-525-7759; 3445 Freedom Dr.,
217-546-5003; 3111 S. Veterans Pkwy., 217-546-9440 (inside Barnes &
Noble)Over the years the Seattle-based java giant has taken
more hits than the coffee mug of a journalist up against a deadline.
Questions about Starbucks international corporate citizenship have much to
do with the criticism. The other big source of criticism is the priceyness
of the product. But the place isn’t so bad: Soon Starbucks will begin rolling out its special
holiday blends, such as pumpkin-spice and gingerbread lattes, and,
regardless of what you think about the joe, it’s also a superb place
to read a good book, surf the Web, or meet up with friends. Runner-up: Trout Lily CafО BEST NEW RESTAURANTChadito’s Mexican- American Grill 3030 S. Sixth St., 217-529-8226“If you like the food, tell your friends about
us. Word of mouth is the only advertising we have,” a Chadito’s
employee tells a new patron at lunchtime. Well, word appears to be getting
around. Patrons of four-month-old bistro complain that they’re going
broke — and not because the food is expensive. The lunch special,
which features ample portions and a medium beverage, costs just $3.50.
Also, if your posse is torn between south-of-the-border cuisine and an
old-fashioned hamburger joint, Chadito’s offers a solution, serving
tacos, burgers, and the taco burger (a cousin to the sloppy Joe). The
restaurant is also one of the few Mexican eateries around that serves
French fries, so delicious that they were dubbed “Jesus fries”
by one enthusiastic young man because “Christ has to make them.” Runner-up: CafО Moxo BEST DOWNTOWN BARSammy’s Sports Bar & Grill 217 S. Fifth St., 217-789-9803Sammy’s dominated the competition in this
year’s Best Bar Food and Best Sports categories but beat out
runner-up Marly’s by just two votes in Best Downtown Bar contest.
Both bars boast excellent locations, but Springfieldians favor
Sammy’s for its selection of 35 bottled beers, its gargantuan list of
television stations (mostly catering to sports fans), its halftime
entertainment (including shuffleboard and Foosball), and its yummy bar
fare, which includes Buffalo-chicken sandwiches and jalapeЦo poppers.
Another plus for tired, thirsty city and state workers: After a long day on
the job you can hop over to Sammy’s for happy hour and score
half-price appetizers and drinks.Runner-up: Marly’s Pub BEST PIZZAGabatoni’s Restaurant 300 E. Laurel, 217-522-0371A frequent runner-up, Gabatoni’s Restaurant has
finally snagged the No. 1 slot for the capital city’s best pizza
— with good reason. Fast, cheery service and tasty variations on the
classic Italian pie such as taco, chicken Alfredo, and barbecue chicken go
hand in hand at this cozy neighborhood restaurant, owned and operated for
56 years by the Beck family — first by John and Rosemary Lynn Beck
and now by daughter Rosalie. The Gabatoni’s serving team sure knows
how to please, plunking down regulars’ drinks before they’ve
been ordered and distributing napkins to the messiest of eaters before
they’re demanded. The work in the kitchen is just as exemplary, with
thin-crust wonders, complete with Italian-herb-sprinkled sauce, gooey
cheese, and the customary grease, flying out to pizza lovers. Even if pizza
isn’t your thing, Gabatoni’s also offers a full selection of
other Springfield favorites: po’boys, horseshoes, and walleye
sandwiches.Runner-up: The Pizza Machine BEST BARBECUEHickory River Smokehouse 2343 N. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-528-2271Now that we’ve licked our fingers clean and
loosened our belts, we’re ready to give our thorough report on
Urbana-based Hickory River: It’s delicious! So tender are the slices
of beef brisket — available in small and large sizes — that you
have to fold the meat several times to keep it from falling off your fork.
And Hickory River’s generous helpings of sweet cornbread resemble
hunks of moist yellow birthday cake. We also enjoyed the ranch beans, a
spin on traditional baked beans that tastes a lot like chili. Perhaps the
best part is that our meal, the 2 Meat Combo (including two side dishes and
cornbread),cost
just over $10. Runner-up: Smokey Bones BBQ & Grill BEST DINER Charlie Parker’s 700 North St., 217-241-2104Stepping into Charlie Parker’s is like stepping
into a past where beboppin’ jazz rules and neon lighting bounces off
shiny countertops and tables. Diners are surrounded by posters of the
establishment’s namesake and by vinyl records, gas-station signs, and
other cool memorabilia from the good ’ol days. The joint almost makes
you feel like a kid again — grown-up customers seem to have no
problem ordering root-beer floats with extra root-beer along with their
toasted-bun burgers and crinkle-cut fries. Other Charlie Parker’s
fare includes sandwiches such as the Janitor’s Special (otherwise
known as a bacon-and-cheese sandwich) and chicken fried steak with all of
the fixins. If you’re a late riser or just can’t get eggs and
bacon off your mind, you’re in luck — Charlie Parker’s
serves breakfast until 2 p.m. Runner-up: Sunrise CafОBEST HORSESHOES D’Arcy’s Pint 661 W. Stanford, 217-492-8800Well, D’Arcy’s has done it again. This
year they’ve received more than 400 votes — beating the
second-place finisher by more than 300 — for the Best Horseshoes in
Springfield. Not for the weak of stomach, or of heart, D’Arcy’s
concoctions comprising meat, French fries, and cheese appeal to the capital
city’s hungriest and, in some cases, the bravest. The popular
Irish-style tavern has a wide selection of horseshoes, from a
chili-cheeseburger ’shoe to a special Southern-fried catfish
’shoe, and even offers ponyshoes for those seeking somewhat smaller
portions. If piles of food just aren’t your thing,
D’Arcy’s boasts an impressive menu of Irish fare, salads,
pizza, and seafood. Runner-up: Dublin Pub BEST BEER SELECTION ON TAP The Barrel Head 1577 W. Wabash Ave., 217-787-2102 Budweiser. Bud Light. Bud Select. Busch. Michelob.
Michelob Ultra. Michelob AmberBock. Miller Lite. Coors Light. Stag.
Killian’s Irish Red. Guinness. Murphy’s. Bare Knuckle Stout.
Beamish Stout. Newcastle Brown Ale. Spaten Optimator. Boulevard Bully!
Porter. Boulevard Lunar Ale. Boulevard Dry Stout. KЪstritzer.
Smithwick’s. Leinenkugel’s Creamy Dark. Blue Moon. Boulevard
Wheat. KЪnigLudwig Weiss. Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat. Hoegaarden. Goose
Island 312 Urban Wheat. Goose Island Honker’s Ale. Samuel Adams
Oktoberfest. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Bass. Harp. Warsteiner Oktoberfest.
Spaten. Pilsner Urquell. Heineken. Stella Artois. Becks. Amstel Light.
Foster’s. Moosehead. Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Leinenkugel’s
Honey Weiss. Leinenkugel’s Berry Weiss. Woodchuck Draft Cider.
Cheers! Runner-up: Brewhaus BEST MARTINI Jazz Central Station 30th floor, Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams St.,
217-789-1530 The martini is a throwback, at least the version that
James Bond imbibed: gin, a touch of dry vermouth, and olives —
shaken, not stirred. And did we say potent? Of course, tradition went by
the wayside years ago, and the old-fashioned martini has
given way to flavored festive concoctions that are more candy than cleaning
fluid. The best place, readers say, to enjoy a “martini” in
Springfield also is the best spot to see the city. Early one weekday
evening we stopped by Jazz Central Station, on the 30th floor of the Hilton
Springfield, then grabbed a window seat and went to work. We started with
the Ruby (Skyy citrus, triple sec, and ruby-red grapefruit, served with a
sugar rim), then moved on to the Espresso (Starbucks coffee liqueur,
Baileys, Godiva, and vanilla vodka), the Lemon Drop (Absolut Citron,
squeeze of lemon, sugared rim), the Old School (gin, vermouth, and two
olives). Then we sort of lost track: Journalism is such hard work! When we
arrived at the bar, we were disappointed that the top of the Hilton
doesn’t rotate. When we completed our reporting, the entire hotel was
spinning.Runner-up: Floyd’s Thirst Parlor BEST BAR FOODSammy’s Sports Bar & Grill 217 S. Fifth St., 217-789-9803Having friends over to your place to watch the big
game can be more trouble than it’s worth: After getting permission,
feeding your hungry guests, and irritating your neighbors, you get stuck
cleaning up the mess. Who needs the hassle? Not only are Sammy’s TVs
better than yours, but their grub is also far superior to your charred
burgers and potato chips. Sammy’s deep-fried Beer Battered Brat Bites
have redefined the bratwurst, and the Bleu Balls — Swiss cheese,
chicken chunks, and ham, rolled into a ball and fried and accompanied with
honey-mustard sauce for dipping — are surprisingly tasty.
Sammy’s also scores with delicious burgers, sandwiches, salads, and
soups. Runner-up: D’Arcy’s Pint BEST CANDYPease’s Fine Candies & Salted Nuts 1701 South State St., 217-523-3721; 4753 Jeffory St.,
217-529-2912; 3417 Freedom Dr., 217-793-9868; 1871 Sangamon Ave.,
217-528-2810; 531 E. Washington St., 217-241-3091; White Oaks Mall,
217-726-5473 Here’s a testament to the paradisiacal nature of
Pease’s Candy Shop: You can take a boy there. In fact, a boy will
beg, plead, wheedle, whine, cajole, and bribe you into a trip to
Pease’s, despite the fact that Pease’s stores are pink —
and not just any pink, mind you, not an earthy shade of rose or a pale
petal pink. No, Pease’s pink is just a blush away from full-on Barbie
pink. Do boys care? Not at all. They’re there for the chocolate, for
the nuts, for the wall of little candies they can buy with piggybank
proceeds. Does Mom complain? Not at all. There are plenty of gourmet
choices for grown-up tastes, too. Runner-up: Del’s Popcorn Shop BEST SALAD BAR Ruby Tuesday 2501 W. Wabash Ave., 217-698-4030There are more than 950 company-owned and franchised Ruby
Tuesdays and at least 34 Springfields in the United States. The one and
only Ruby Tuesday in the one and only Springfield, Ill., again grabs top
honors for having the best salad bar in the capital city. Our Ruby Tuesday
is located inside White Oaks Mall, next door to Macy’s. It’s
easy to see why the chain’s Fresh Garden Bar is so popular. It can be
enjoyed by itself or ordered with another entrОe, and the
meat-inclined will find delectable bacon, ham, and more among the array of
leaves, veggies, and fruits. Serious carnivores will savor the signature
burgers and loins, tender- and sir-. In addition to wine, beer and soft
drinks, diners may enjoy pomegranate lemonade and “Ruby T.” If
fresh is your bag, the place to get it on is Ruby Tuesday.Runner-up: Ryan’s